GA HB 1058 – WE Survey Mar 14, 2016

GA HB 1058

HB 1058 Health; HIV and AIDS; revise various statutes:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapters 17 and 22 of Title 31 and Code Section 24-12-21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to control of venereal disease, clinical laboratories, and the disclosure of AIDS confidential information, respectively, so as to revise various statutes relating to HIV and AIDS; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

House Bill 1058 seeks to add, or change language in the Georgia Code related to controls for venereal disease and HIV such that:

A pregnant woman would be notified that testing for venereal disease and HIV are called for under Georgia law and of her right to refuse such tests.

Current law allows minors to elect surgery or treatment for venereal disease without the consent of a parent or guardian. This law expands the roster of diseases covered by this section to include HIV.

Discontinues the requirement for the Department of Public Health to publish and make available brochures or other services as part of the counseling that must, by law, be provided the patient.

Removes the condition that tests for disease where the results are negative must be expunged for the patient’s medical records.

AIDS confidential information “may” be shared with the parent or guardian of either an incompetent or a minor person. (may replaces shall)

SURVEY QUESTION:

Should Georgians support Rep. Price (48th) and Sen. Burke (11th), and others, in their effort to change law that may affect the rights of pregnant women, minors, and health care providers who are afflicted with venereal disease or HIV or who may provide health care for such persons?